But after becoming South Africa's first black president, Mr Mandela preached reconciliation with his former enemies.

Image caption
Archbishop Tutu criticised the ANC for being too prominent at the services

Analysis

By Farouk ChothiaBBC South Africa analyst

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has always seen himself as the moral voice of South Africa.

He was a fierce critic of the white minority regime and won the Nobel peace prize in 1984. Since apartheid ended, he has turned out to be just as critical of the African National Congress (ANC), the liberation movement now in power.

He has criticised ex-Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki but, most of all, incumbent Jacob Zuma.

He appears to have become increasingly disillusioned with the ANC. In June, he lamented that people were surrendering to the "altar of power and wealth", and lauded the formation of the Agang opposition party.

Now, he has raised concern about the future of nation-building, condemning the "blatant exclusion" of Afrikaner church leaders during services to honour Mr Mandela after his death.

It was typical of "The arch", as he is affectionately known by South Africans. He speaks his mind and his critics are reluctant to hit back at him. They know he has moral authority, but very little political influence to change the course of the nation.

Archbishop Tutu also strongly criticised the prominence of the governing African National Congress (ANC) during the week of events following Mr Mandela's death on 5 December.

"I also believe it may have sent out a more inclusive message had the programme directors at the Memorial and Funeral - both national and State events - not both been senior office-bearers of the ruling party," he said.

Archbishop Tutu fought apartheid, along with Mr Mandela and the ANC, but has become increasingly critical of the party, welcoming the launch of a new opposition party in June.

He almost did not attend Sunday's funeral for his close friend, saying he had not been invited.

In a statement, he described Mr Mandela as a "nation builder" who "went out of his way" to include Afrikaners after the end of apartheid.

"We were amiss in not being as inclusive as Madiba [Mandela's clan name] would certainly have been," he said.

"To the extent that I can do so meaningfully, I apologise to our sisters and brothers in the Afrikaner Community," he added.

Peace mission

Both Archbishop Tutu and Mr Mandela won Nobel Peace Prizes for their work in bringing an end to apartheid.

Madiba was a nation-builder. I pray that we will uphold this critical aspect of his mission foreverArchbishop Desmond Tutu

The former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town was awarded the prize in 1984 and has since gone on to become the recipient of other awards, including the Templeton prize which honours a living person who has "made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension".

Mr Mandela won the Nobel award jointly with the former President FW de Klerk, an Afrikaner from the National Party, in 1993.

Archbishop Tutu said Mr Mandela's belief in reconciliation was evident in the composition of the new national anthem, which has a verse in Afrikaans, and his involvement in "the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the lunch and tea engagements with the widows of apartheid presidents."

Rugby was closely associated with Afrikaners and Mr Mandela's decision to wear the national team shirt in 1995 won him great respect in the community.

"Madiba was a nation-builder. I pray that we will uphold this critical aspect of his mission forever," the archbishop concluded.